25th February 2022, Skopje – Republic of North Macedonia was awarded a grant amounting to EUR 225.6 million by the European Commission, aimed at supporting infrastructure and energy projects. As announced by the EC, funds have been granted under the investment package worth EUR 3.2 billion aimed at advancing sustainable connectivity in the Western Balkans.
Support is specifically aimed at co-financing of the Project for Construction of Eastern Part of Railway Corridor VIII – phase 3 – Section Kriva Palanka – Deve Bair, Border Crossing with the Republic of Bulgaria), Skopje Wastewater Treatment Station, Photovoltaic Power Plan Oslomej, as well as Power Plants of Macedonia’s project aimed at transition towards solar photovoltaic power generation. Investments grants have been approved under the Western Balkans Investment Framework – WBIF, with support extended by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with the Republic of North Macedonia already applying therefor.
During the discussion covering the respective projects, being held with the EU Commissioners in Brussels, Minister of Finance, Fatmir Besimi, stressed that it was a matter of major infrastructure projects with a strong added value, being of particular importance for recovery of the economy, as well as to the end of ensuring energy stability.
Construction of Eastern part of Railway Corridor VIII, – Section Kriva Palanka – Deve Bair, covering 23.4 km is of great strategic significance for our country. Total investment value of the Project amounts to EUR 412.3 million, whereby EUR 149.2 million has been provided therefor via WBIF.
Wastewater Treatment will be permanently resolved by the City of Skopje by building waste water treatment plant, thus reducing the pollution of Vardar River and raising the standards for environmental protection. Total investment value of the Project amounts to EUR 136.7 million, whereby EUR 69.8 million has been provided therefor as WBIF grant funds.
As regards the Green Deal, the implementation of Photovoltaic Power Plan Oslomej, as well as Power Plants of Macedonia’s project aimed at transition towards solar photovoltaic power generation will, to a great extent, contribute towards the transition from electric towards solar energy. Construction of Photovoltaic Power Plant Oslomej will amount to EUR 8.8 million, which will be financed by AD ESM – Skopje with EBRD loan with no sovereign guarantee, amounting to EUR 5.9 million, WBIF investment grant, being approved today, the amount of which is EUR 1.6 million, also including AD ESM own funds amounting to EUR 1.3 million.
As regards Power Plants of Macedonia’s project aimed at transition towards solar photovoltaic power generation, under today’s decision, funds have been provided in the amount of EUR 5 million as WBIF investment grant. Project covers construction of Photovoltaic Power Plant Oslomej 2 with installed capacity of 10 MW and Photovoltaic Power Plant Bitola with installed capacity of 20 MW. Project’s total investment value is EUR 25.5 million, which will be financed by AD ESM – Skopje with EBRD loan, amounting to EUR 19.8 million secured with a sovereign guarantee, WBIF instrument grant in the amount of EUR 5 million, as well as AD ESM own funds amounting to EUR 0.7 million.
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